Sitting here on my final night in Alanya reminiscing of what has been and what could/should have been considering my lead up to the 2013 European Age Group Sprint Triathlon Championships. I was in top form. The best form I had ever been in.
Mid May, following on from my 3rd place finish at the Cleveland Sprint in Stokesley, I had my first weekend off since racing had started this season at Dambuster in March. This was a well earned rest, one which had given me the opportunity to look back over some of the great results I had already accrued. I had gathered a nice collection of Silverware (or Goldware as I positively like to refer to it) and some lovely Glass trophies taking up space on the fireplace to the delight of my wife.
There was still room for one more. I'd had my Gold from Eilat around the coathanger with my new kit hanging on the wardrobe door for months now. My family couldn't be with me last year in Israel due to logistics and the birth of Freya. However this year they were all to come out and join me in a beautiful villa high up in the hills overlooking Alanya for a 2 week holiday. What better location could you choose for a week of preparation prior to your biggest race of the season, one that all focus has been on, and defence of your biggest race to date last year! More of that to come.
A month of A races begun towards the end of May beginning with Grendon Sprint Triathlon. Now it was at the very same race the previous year that Elliot preached me with a vision. A vision that you and I now know as Coalfields Race Team. This was a pipe dream to begin with but has started to gather fantastic pace with some amazing athletes. Grendon was again a qualifying event for the 2014 European Sprint Tri Champs which had only just been announced as Kitzbuhel, high in the Austrian Tirol. Fantastic choice of venue, one which was picturesque, beautiful, driveable and most of all mountainous. Perfect!!! The perfect choice for a triathlete that thrives on racing at speeds approaching up to 30mph on flat straight drag strips! My winter decisions had been made for me! Lose another 5kg or die on the hill next year.
This year Elliot and I were joined by team mate Matt Turnbull. Last season Matt had thrived on embarking on silly challenges including 24hr runs and all that crap! But this year, like Elliot and I, his intent had been submitted to qualify to wear a GB trisuit! Joining myself, Jenn Batey, Gavin Sword and new members, Anglo-Francais husband and wife team Jo and Guillaume Zoppi, as current club members who were to don the Red White and Blue colours of our prized Union Jack, and the French Tricolour for Guillaume. This was also meant to be a race that Elliot's wife Kerry was also targeting to qualify at, but a recent car accident and intensive physio has delayed this until Newbiggin in September. Get well soon Kerry and most importantly concentrate on your rehab.
News had been relayed from the Aquathlon the previous day, where a few members had been trying to qualify for the World Champs in London. I've always said that success breeds success and with the knowledge that Chris Philpott will be the first person as a Coalfields member to gain his colours (as we had all gained ours the previous season with our previous clubs). We wanted to make this another successful weekend in the short history of the team. Elliot and I were to come away as the first club qualifiers to book our trip to Austria but unfortunately for Matthew, he would have to wait until Rother Valley a few weeks later (he has qualified to take the club tally to three but that is his story to tell).
Grendon was an Awesome race, I surprised myself, not only with my Euro Qualification, but also a national race podium finish taking third place does wonders for your confidence with only one more race before Turkey.
That race was to be Nottingham. The first time I visited the city was as a young 18 year old leaving home for the very first time to embark on my first of three years at University. I loved this city, I grew up here, but I also found beer tabs and kebabs and upon leaving I starting my journey to 16.5 stone.
This visit meant more to me for that very reason, I was returning having turned my life around. This race was the British National Sprint Champs and first qualifying race for the London World Champs in September. I expected nothing as the field was to be a strong one, I had also hedged my bets with entry to Llandudno Sprint Tri, as I didn't expect to qualify at the Nationals. As the race progressed, I came out of the water in good shape and rode strong, picking off most if the stronger swimmers by the end of the four bike laps. This included catching Rob (Osbourne) as we approached T2. The lack of bikes in the split transition told me I was having a storming race, but I had to run hard. I was not aware who was ahead of me but I recognised Alan Copland exiting just before me (Alan had helped me reshape my stroke over the winter in the pool, with great, efficiency saving results). Now I knew Alan could run so if I could remain anywhere near him, I need not look back at all. I ran close to Alan all the way and a strong sprint finish saw Alan pip me across the line. This didn't matter, final positions didn't matter. This was the nationals, what mattered was how I faired in my age group and I won! Not only did I win but I was ahead of the current national and world sprint champion. I had also qualified automatically to pull on the GB kit again for the third time. This time at the Olympic venue of Hyde Park in London.
I was flying, my confidence was sky high, maybe to high...... To complaisant, only time would tell.
Now there were advantages and disadvantages of coming out to Turkey a full week ahead of the race. We can all agree that being in the resort for seven days, should help to acclimatise to the soaring 35-37 degree heat that we have experienced while we have been over here. But, it is very difficult to avoid the heat completely and the soaring sun while trying to continue training prep. I still had a full training programme with one rest day leading up to race day, and these were best done early in the morning or later in the evening, neither of which were truly managed to be completed as I would have done at home. Psychologically I felt that I would be ready and acclimatised come race day, physiologically I'm not so sure that I was. I raced the very best that I could on Saturday gone, but I had not anticipated the racing would be so close and hotly contested. Some I had raced before, others I had not and was not aware of. I swam brilliantly and for me exiting the water seventh was something that I was not used to. I normally have more to do starting the bike.
This left me in a strong position going onto the bike as I left transition in 3rd or 4th place after running through the showers ahead of a few of my rivals. I cycled stronger. I recorded the second fastest bike split and before long was out of transition starting the run. It was hot. 5km seemed more like 10km and every station, a bottle was over my head. The eventual winner, Jonny McClean came past me and was to strong, he was running well. I never saw Rob at all that race, not until I'd crossed the line. Slumped on the steps I knew he had also given everything. Enough to bag himself a second silver. For me though, I could only manage 4th. Probably the most difficult position to accept when, after winning the previous year, and with the form I was carrying going into the race, I had expected more of myself.
Now I truly could not have given any more than I did out there on the course that day, but on this occasion, my best was just not good enough. I was well trained, I was in the form of my life, I'd just qualified for the 2014 European Championships two weeks earlier, and unexpectedly, I'd just qualified or the 2013 World Championships and won the British Championships at the first attempt. Why would I not think I had a very good chance? You would wouldn't you?
A big lesson was learned that day, one which I have taken from losing that race.
Never take anything for granted! Don't expect to much of yourself and understand that everything you achieve is success. Especially to the most important things in your life. Those who travel near and far to support you in many more ways than one. Whether that be from their strong cheers on the sidelines to the thankless hours that they spend trying to understand your moods, your habits, your eating patterns and your training. They are the ones that truly count in life.
Always thank them, always acknowledge them, always respect them and most of all, always support them back.
To my family, friends and team mates, thank you so much, I love you all.
Finally, I will be home in a couple of days. I need to replan with the boss. We need to readdress my needs and re focus. 3 days holiday rest after the race has been granted as a week. On this occasion, complete rest is best. Both mentally and physically.
Thank you so much to Tony and Dave at www.a1multisport.co.uk for all the assistance you have given me over the last 2 years, www.zipvitsport.com for fuelling me, Beth at Sigvaris Sports Compression, www.sigsports.co.uk, for educating me in the science of compression garments and allowing me the opportunity to wear leading kit. Laura Elliott at www.naturalhero.co.uk for providing me with the most amazing recovery muscle rub, which used in conjunction with my Sigvaris compression can only be described as "Spicy". Sam and the team at www.bikeboxonline.co.uk especially Dave Bramley in York for ensuring my weapon of choice arrived in Alanya safe and sound. Martin and everyone at AquaSphere who have ensured I am covered head to toe in my wetsuits. The team at Planet X, especially Barry who tirelessly worked to ensure I was equipped with the steed I was familiar with. To Lisa for ensuring my legs have remained conditioned to the best possible standard I expect. To all my team mates at Coalfields Race Team for your messages, banter and support and most of all to the man who ensures I stay on the straight and narrow, Elliot. Thanks for all your hard work and deter inaction in providing me with the tools required to take part in this sport. Sharing with me the knowledge and experience you have gained. Every second of your coaching is invaluable. And my family, mainly Charlotte and Freya for allowing me to do what Elliot tells me. Tony told me never to apologise for all my achievements but I am sorry it was not a better blog.